Austrian Tennis Player May Have To Bribe Appeal Panel

The Austrian tennis player, Daniel Koellerer, who has been banned for life from the sport, intends to appeal against the decision, but may have to bribe the appeal panel to find a result in his favour.

Koellerer was given the life ban for match-fixing.

The 27-year-old Austrian, once ranked world number 55, was found guilty of three charges under the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme. These charges include "contriving or attempting to contrive the outcome of an event" between October 2009 and July 2010.

Koellerer, currently world number 385, is now effectively banned from playing tennis anywhere in the world, even in his back garden.

Koellerer, was also fined $100,000 (£61,000), but has the right to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Koellerer's manager, Manfred Nareyka, said the verdict was ridiculous, and that Koellerer wasn't good enough to be able to fix a match. He confirmed the Austrian is considering an appeal.

"This is a massive shock. There is no proof. We're looking into an appeal right now, but Daniel isn't sure if he can afford the legal costs. He is going to become a father in July. We will have to see if we can 'buy' any of the appeal panel to find in his favour."

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